With quarterback Danny Kanell tossing four touchdown passes—three to Florida State MOP Andre Cooper—Florida State won its NCAA-record 11th consecutive bowl and finished an unprecedented ninth consecutive season with 10 or more victories.

Kanell, who threw for 290 yards on the night, closed the gap to 26-21 on an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide out E.G. Green. The drive covered 73 yards and included a pair of runs by Warrick Dunn that netted 17 yards.

Notre Dame punted on its next series, and the Seminoles Dee Feaster returned it 41 yards to the Fighting Irish 30 yard line. It took Kanell just 1:39 to get into the end zone on a three-yard touchdown to Cooper. Kanell and Cooper hooked up again on the two-point conversion and the Seminoles were suddenly out in front 29-26 with 6:09 left.

A Notre Dame fumble and a quarterback Tom Krug safety made the final score 31-26.